Weighing scale



Feb. 4, 1936. WECKERLY 2,029,903

WEIGHING SCALE Filed July 2'7, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mark A Wcker/q INVENTOR d ATTORNEY Feb. 4, 1936. M. A WECKERLY 2,029,903

WEIGHING SCALE Filed July 27. 1932 5 Sheet. -5heet 2 FEEL:

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INVENTOR 7 a/MAIQ ATT RNEY WEIGHING SCALE Filed July 27, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 HIIIIIIIIII Ma k A. W kerfiq. lZI mvErFr oR y M WQ 'ATT RNEY [iii Patented Feb. 4, 1936 UNITED ,STATES PATENT OFFICE I momma scans m s. Weckerly, Toledo, om. a-ignor to Scale Hanoi Toledo I Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of New Jersey Application July 2'1, 1932, Serial No. 024.948

12 Claims. (01. 249-64) This invention relates generally to weighing scales, and more particularly to weighing scales which are adapted to determine successively a large number of loads of equal predetermined weight and to means associated therewith for controlling a feed stream of such material.

Scales of this type are widely employed in packing commodities such as coiiee, sugar, flour,

cereals, spices and other similar materials. The principal object or this invention is the provision of means whereby the illumination of a photoelectric element aifects one operation, the subsequent diminishing light falling upon said element aiiects another operation and the subsequent replenishment of light to said element affects a third operation.

consequently terminates said loading.

Another object o! the invention is the provision oi improved means for cutting oil a feed stream of material when the predetermined amount has been deposited on the commodity-receiver.

Another object is the provision of improved means for controlling the rate 01 ilow of such commodity.

Another object is the provision of photoelectric means to eflect such control.

Still another object is the provision of a single photoelectric element for controlling the amount of commodity being deposited per unit oi time.

Still another object is the provision of improved means for vely controlling two parts of a single material feed ofaphotoelectricelement.

gatebymeans Andstillanotherobiectistheprovisionoian improved method of electrically connecting the componentpartsrequiredintheo! this invention.

Otherobjectsandadvantageswillbeapparent from the following in which referenceishadtothedrawingsillustrating a preferred embodiment oi my invention and wherein similar reference mimerals designatesimilarpartsthroughouttheseveralviews.

In the drawings:-

l igurelisairontelevationalviewofawelghingscaleminventionandpartofan associated material feeding means.

l 'ig'urenisanenlargedsideelevationalview Figure IV is an enlarged side elevational view fragmentary view of electric control elements in detail.

Figurevisanenlargedplanvlewottheindieating means housing, showing in detail the method of supporting the light source.

Figure V1 is an enlarged sectional plan view of a materialieeding gate and operating mech- 5 anism forming a part 0! my device, sectioned substantially along the line VI-VI of Figure VII.

Figure VII is an enlarged side sectional view therethrough sectioned substantially along the line VII-VII of Figure VI.

Figure VIII is an eniarsed cross-sectional view substantially along the line VIII-VIII of Figure VII; and

Figmelxisawiringdiagramoi'electricalcircuits employed in my device.

As thescaleinwhichIhaveincorporatedthe embodiment of my invention is fully described and disclosed in U. 8. Patent No. 1,857,278 to H. O. Hem and as reference thereto may be readily had. Iwill describe itonly insofar as is necessary to fully. disclose my invention.

Referring to the-:drawlngs in detail, the scale mechanism is supported by a base I equipped with leveling legs I which are adapted to rest upon a counter or stand I. Brackets I extend upwardly from the base I and carry bearings 5 in biiurcations. These bearings support fulcrum pivots i of a main scale lever I. 'I'hemain scale lever is of the even arm type and each end thereof has laterally extending pivots l which support load and counterbalance platter spiders 0 and II, respectively. A plurality of posts I I and I! which are studded into the upper portions of the spidersproiect through a casing II which completely houses and protects-the lever mechanism. The posts ll supportontheirupper endsacommod-' ity-receiver l6, preferably in the tom of a grid so that spilled commodity will not accumulate thereon and cause errors in weighing results.

The posts It, projecting from the counterbalance sector. 'lhissectorisoneotthecomponentfifi parts of a load pendulum ll. 'Ihispendulumllismoimtedbymeansofa pivottlonsuitablebearlngsmot shown) ina verticallyhousingllwhichsurmounts thecasingll. 'lheilahoccmprisesoo an indicating hand I! and a pendulum weight 2| which is adiustably mounted on the stain 2. for co-operation with the indicating hand 21. To indicate the condition of equilibrium of the weighing mechanism, a chart II is stationarily fixed in the upper end of the housing Iliand bears a zero indicium 8|.

Thescale thus,far described is a very eihcient and sensitiveweighing device.-

In carrying out my invention I mount a photoelectric element 82 substantially in a plane. perpendicular to the chart through the zero indicium 3|, the element being immediately below the indicium. The element isenclosed within a tubular enclosure 33 which projects upwardly through an aperture into an enlargement 34 on the back of the housing 28. A threaded stem 35 is riveted to the upper wall of the enclosure 33 and projects through a bom in the enlargement 34, to which the enclomre 33 may be clamped by means of a knurled nut 34'. A

Itandhavingafreearmextendinginfrontof the housing 2| to which a light source assembly 30 is fastened. This assembly comprises an electric light a, a light-proof cell 4| and suitable means (not shown) for retaining the electric lightwithinthecellandconnectingittoasource of electricity.) Since the light source is mounted on the bail-like member 31 which is rigidly studded into the stem II, any adjustment which isma'deinthepositionoftheenclosureadoes not affect the relative positions of the light source, the slit-like aperture and the photoelectric element. Hence, in all positions of adjustment the light from the lamp 3! will shine upon the photoelectric element through the slit 36' unless intercepted by an independent member.

For a purpose which willhereinafter be more fully described, the indicator hand fl is provided with a paddle-like extension 4|. The terminal edges of this paddle, when extended downwardly, intersect each other at the axis of oscillation of the indicator.

The material cut-off gate, which is controlled by the photoelectric element in conjunction with the scale, is assembled upon a mechanism plate .45 (Figures VII and VIII), which, in the emthe plate is an aperture in which a comparatively short piece of tubing 48 is stationed. Integrally depending bosses 40 and 50 are provided adjacent theendsofthe teandiotheseplatessoienoid coils ii an 52 are fastened in substantially horizontal positions. Armatures I3 and 44 are floatingly positioned in the coils. The heads of the armatures are connected by means of pintles it and 86, respectively, to cut-ofl slides 61 and 58. Horizontally ways for the slides are fastened by screws BI and 02 to bosses is and Cl projecting downwardly from the plate 45. These ways comprise comparatively narrow plates 83 and spacers 04, their thickness being slightly greater than the thickness of the slides 51 and through apertures in flanges II and 12 depending 10 from the plate 45. ll and l4 project laterally from the flanges II and I2 and are adapted to receive screws 15 and 16 which pass through the end plates of the solenoid coils SI and 52 to help to hold them rigid. A slot 11, through 15 which a stop finger 18 extends, opens through the plate 4|. The finger I! may be locked in any desired position within the slot by a knurled thumb screw ll. This finger is for the purpose of limiting the movementof the armature 54 oi the sole- 20 noid II. The mechanism attached to the plate 45 is completely enclosed by a cover in which a tube II is fastened, which, when the cover is attached to the plate, is co-axial with the tube 48. Plugportions 82 of separable connectors are also mounted on the plate 46 so that the proper elec trical energy may be supplied to the coils. A flow equalizing funnel 83 surmounts the tube 48. A second and larger flow equalizing funnel I4 is attached to the top of the frame 41 and receives material delivered through a spout 85 from a material supply bin (not shown).

To enable the operator of the machine, according to the invention, to check the relative positions of the indicator hand 21 and the indicium on the chart at the moment of and immediately after cut off when facing the end of the device, which is the most convenient operating position, a reflecting mirror is secured by means of an arm" to the housing 16 (seeFigure II). This enables the operator to tell at a glance whether the amount of material delivered is of the predetermined weight without checking it on a. separate weighing device. To render the reflected wording readable in the mirror, the reading is printed reversely on the chart (see Figure III).

The commodity-receiver i4 carries, by means of a frame 88, a chute 89 which is stationed immediately below the tube in the cut-oil mech anism. In operation, the empty bag is opened and the open end slipped about the chute 89, which prevents the bag from tipping over while the material is flowing into it.

Current is supplied to the apparatus from the usual utility circuit 9| which is connected to one side of a transformer ll. Leads 92 and 93, tapped into the other side of the transformer, conduct current at proper voltage to the lamp 39. The leads 92 and 98 are also connected'to the filament of a thermionic tube 94, while another lead, 95, connects the transformer with one side of the photoelectricv element 32, the other side of which is connected by means of a wire 96 to the grid of the thermionic tube. Hence, when the lamp II is lighted and light therefrom passingthrough the slit 36' illuminates the photoelectric element, thereby increasing its ability to pass current, current from the transformer through the leadas, the photoelectric element 32 and the wire 98 to the grid of the thermionic tube 84, thereby varying the relative potentials of the grid and fllament to the tube.

Current is supplied to the plate of the thermionic-tube through the connection 51, the actuating coil of the relay 08 and the connection 99.

rent passing through the actuating coil of the relay II is increased in amplified, degree. In

which connects the actuating coil of the relay,

The grid potential II, but the current passing through the when the illumination of the photoelectric .The potentiometer adjustment makes it photoelectric element It being illuminated and, therelayllbeing-inthepositiqn indieatedinllgurelx, operational the device is started by, manually pressing a starter but- III. Thestarterbutton completes -a'circuittromtheutllityline ll throughalead iflandasettlngcoil lfloiameehanically latchedtbree-poleelectricresetrelay I... when lever mechanism and the ribbon. 22, holds the pendulum it in elevated position and the indi catorll in the position-in which it is shown in l lguruIandIlI As the weight or thecomi.m ty being deposited upon the commodityver approaches the weight, or the counterpolaeon the; platter- II, the pendulum 2| begins to'de'scend'andthepaddle-like extension moves toward the slit "(until the'slit iseclipsed and -the light reaching the photoelectric element I2 iromthe lamp ll is cut oil, thus varying-the grid oi the thermionic tube ll and deeper- .ghingtheactuatingcoiloitberelayll. De-

energisingtheactuatingcoiloitherelay opens i the circuit which has energized theactivatlng cello! the relay Ill, thus causing the relay Illl toopenand 'deenergiae the solenoid, so-th'at the last teed slide I8 is drawn partially over the openimatthelowerendotthetube llbymeans loiths'springll,-reducingthefiowoicommodity to a,'.dribble stream".

Deenergintion or the actuating coil or therelay ll closes at III a ci rcuit through the actuating coil otrelay III, which. in turn, closes a circuit 5 mm m and the actuatis cut oil is insuflcient to actuate the ing coil or the relay III. Closing oi the relay III also completes a circuit through connection III et a]. to the reset coil II oithe reset relay I. *Energization oi the reset coil lit opens all three poles of the reset relay, thus deenergizing the reset coil II. The relay III remains closed, however, under the influence oi the current passing through the contacts of the relay III.

Under the infiuence o! the load. which, augmented by the dribble stream, continues to accumulate slowly on the commodity-receiver, the paddle-like extension ll swings with reduced speed over the slit 8| until the slit is again uncovered and light is again admitted from the lamp I! to the photoelectric elements. The. resulting increase in current passed by the photoelectric element, amplified by. the thermionic tube, again energizes the actuating coil 0! the relay l8, opening at III the circuit energizing the coil of the relay 2, thereby deenergizing the actuating coil of the relay H6 and breaking the circuit by which the slow teed solenoid II was energized, so that the slow i'eed slide I1 is pulled by the coil spring 81 into engagement with the endo! the iastieed slide Bl to completely close thelowerendoithetubellandcutoil'the dribble stream.

Removal of the package from the commodityreceiver causes the indicator hand and paddlelikeextensiontoreturntotheposltionsin which theyaresbowninrigurelandthecircuitsto return to the condition in which they were just previoustothepressingoithestarterbutton Ill at the ot the filling operation. The apparatus is, there!ore,-ready for another filling operation.

'Iheaiseotthedribblestreammayberegulated by positioning the stop finger II and the efl'ect oi the commodity in suspension at the closing or the slow ieed'slide and other inertia forces may beaccuratelyted i'orbyturningthe stem with the horizontal tube-30, the bracket llandthelightsourceflabouttheaxis oi the stem Ii, thereby shitting the slit 30' slightlyrelativetotheindiciumon-thechart.

The embodiment of my invention herein shown and described is to be regarded as'illustrative only, and it is to be understood that the inven- I tion is susceptible to variation,- modification and change within the spirit andscope or thesubjoined claims. I

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. ha device'oi the class described, in combination, a photoelectric element, weighing mechanism, means connected to said weighing mechanism for changing the amount or light supplied to said photoelectric element and subsequently c g stheamountoi' lighttosubstantially the amount formerly supplied to said photoelectric element, a relay circuit controlled by the first change in the amount of light supplied to said photoelectric element, and a second relay circuit controlledby the subsequent change in the amount of light supplied to the photoelectric element.

.2.Inadeviceoitheclassdescribed,incombination. last materlal teeding means, slow material !eeding means, weighing a photoelectric element, means for causing a variation -in theamount of light supplied to said photo.-

electric' element, means 'operatively connecting said light varying means to said weighing means,

- means whereby a variation in the-amount oi light supplied t'osaid photoelectric element afl'ects the operationoi'saidiastieedmeans,andmeans whereby a subsequent variation in theamount affects the operation of said slow feed means.

3. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism, a photoelectric element, fast material feeding means, slow material feeding means, an indicating hand operatively connected to said weighing mechanism and controlling said photoelectric element, and means controlled by said photoelectric element whereby the position of said indicating hand aflects suc cessively the operation of said fast material feeding means and said slow material feeding means.

4. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism, a photoelectric element in operative relation thereto, fast material feeding means, slow material feeding means, a

shield having a slit therein, said photoelectric element being stationed behind said shield, a light source stationed in front of said slit and adapted to illuminate said photoelectric element, and a movable member having substantial width actuated by said weighing mechanism, said movable member being adapted to successively cover said slit and uncover it during operation of said weighing mechanism and electrical connections between said photoelectric element and said feeding means whereby such successive covering and uncovering successively affects the operation of said fast material feeding means and said slow material feeding means.

5. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism having a shield connected thereto, auxiliary mechanism control means, said auxiliary mechanism control means comprising a photoelectric element, an enclosure therefor, said enclosure having an aperture adapted to be successively covered and uncovered by said shield, and relay circuits successively actuated by the covering and uncovering of said aperture.

6. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism and material feeding means adapted to feed material at difl'erent rates in cooperative relation thereto, said weighing mechanism comprising a load-receiver, a load-counterbalancing mechanism actuated from said load-receiver, an indicating member controlled by said load-counterbalancing mechanism, photoelectric means in controlling relation to said material feeding means, said photoelectric means comprising a light sensitive element, a cover for said element, an aperture in said cover adapted to illuminate said element, said indicating member covering said aperture in said light sensitive element cover when a predetermined amount of material has been delivered by said material feeding means on said load-receiver whereby the rate of delivery is affected and said indicating member subsequently uncovering said aperture when such material on said load-receiver reaches a second predetermined amount whereby the rate of delivery is again affected.

7. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism having an indicium bearing chart and pivoted hand, material feeding means in operative relation to said weighing mechanism, photoelectric means for controlling said material feeding means and being controlled by said weighing mechanism, said pivoted hand having a laterally extending projection to darken said photoelectric means throughout a predetermined angle of movement of said indicator hand and then readmit light to said photoelectric means upon further movement of said hand in the same direction, and means connecting said photoelectric means to said material feeding means for affecting the operation of said material feeding means first upon the darkening of said photoelectric means and again upon the reillumination of said photoelectric means.

8. In a device of the class described, in combination,-a weighing device, a material feeder, said feeder comprising a housing, and a divided tube 1 extending therethrough, magnetically actuated slides having opposed movement adapted to extend into the divisions of said tube, a magnetic coil for each of said slides, a single electric element cooperating with said weighing mechanism, 1

and means controlled by said element including a mechanically latched three-pole electric reset relay for moving said slides successively into the divisions of said tube.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, a weighing device, a material supply means including a material feeder for delivering material to said weighing device, an electric control element controlled by said weighing device, said material feeder comprising a material feed tube, a plurality of slides having opposed reciprocatory movement, solenoid coils for operating said slides, electrical means including a manually actuated starting switch for energizing said solenoid coils and moving/said slides in opposed directions, means controlled by said electric control element for successively deenergizing said solenoid coils, and resilient means for moving said slides in directions opposite to the directions of said first mentioned movements.

10. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism, a material supply means for feeding such material to said weighing device, a photoelectric element controlled by the weight of such material on said weighing mechanism for controlling said feeding means, said feeding means comprising a tube, a plurality of horizontally movable slides controlled by said photoelectric element for closing said tube, and means for obtaining successive movements of different magnitude for each of said slides.

11. In a device of the class described, in combination, weighing mechanism, a material supply means including means for feeding such material to said weighing device, a photoelectric element controlled by the weight of such material on said weighing mechanism for controlling said feeding means, said feeding means comprising a tube, a plurality of horizontally movable slides, means whereby said slides are controlled by said photoelectric element for closing said tube, and a manually adjustable stop in the path of one of said slides for obtaining successive movements of different magnitude for each of said slides.

12. In a device of the class described, in combination,aphotoelectric element, weighing mechanism, means connected to said weighing mechanism for changing the amount of light supplied to said photoelectric element and subsequently again changing the amount of light supplied to said photoelectric element, means controlled by the first change in the amount of light supplied to said photoelectric element to control the operation of certain mechanism, and means controlled by the subsequent change in the amount of light supplied to said photoelectric element to control the operation of other mechanism.

MARK A. WECKERLY. 

